By Dr. Ma. Asuncion P. Quimlat
On December 8, 2024 the Parish of the Immaculate Conception will celebrate its 60th year foundation. Last December 7 and 8 during the Vispera Mass and Solemn Concelebrated Mass, the parish launched its One-Year Preparation. A simple rite at the start of the Mass was heralded by a procession of the 60th jubilee banner and the image of Our Lady of La Purisima. Before final blessing, Fr. Marcel Emmanuel DP Real, parish priest sung the Hymn to Inmaculada Concepcion which he himself composed.
This year’s theme, Journeying Together as a Christian Community towards a Blessed 60th Parish Jubilee under the Patronage of Mary, the Immaculate Conception, expresses a desire to be a synodal parish. The clergy, lay leaders and parishioners will work together to make this vision a reality.
In Caceres Archbishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona’s homily during the Vispera Mass, he stressed the the role of Mary in our Christian Faith. He reminded the congregation that Mary is a woman of great faith, a faith of total surrender to God’s will, a faith that obeys and a faith that is steadfast and persevering. This faith proclaims the goodness of the Lord, he said.
Daet Bishop Rex Andrew Alarcon, in his homily on December 8, stressed the undeniable battle between good and evil. “In an Age of Multiplicity of choices, Mary reminds us to be simple and humble. In an Age of Diversity, Our Lady is a model of Fidelity. In a time when power is in our hands and digits, Mary reminds us to trust in God more than anything else. Because of these, she can truly say: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,” he explained.